A sunflower is a sunflower. A mobile phone is a mobile phone. But can you combine the two to do something for your local environment? As early as next year it may well be possible. When you have finished with your mobile phone you will be able to bury it in the garden or a plant pot and wait for it to flower.
A biodegradable (生物可降解的) mobile phone was, this month, introduced by scientists. It is hoped that the new type of phone will encourage consumers to recycle (再利用). Scientists have come up with a new material over the last five years. It looks like any other plastic, but overtime it can break down into the soil without giving out any poisonous chemicals. British researchers used the new material to develop a phone cover that contains a sunflower seed. When this cover turns into waste, it forms nitrates (硝酸盐). These feed the seed and help the flower grow. “We’ve only put sunflower seeds into the cover so far. But we are working with plant experts to find out which flowers will perform best. Maybe we could put roses in next time.” said one scientist.
As phone technology is developing so quickly people are constantly throwing their mobiles away. This means producers are under pressure to find ways of recycling them. Some 650 million mobile phones have been sold this year. Most of them will be thrown away within two years, adding plastic, heavy metal and chemical waste to the environment. A biodegradable cover can offer some relief for nature, according to the scientists. “The seed is released and the flower grows in the pot so you don’t have to concern yourself with the phone when you have finished using it,” said Kerry Kirwan, the leader of the research team.
1.After you have finished using the new type of mobile phone, _______.
A. the sunflower seed will come out and flower in the pot
B. the phone cover will break down very soon in the soil
C. it will be recycled by the producers
D. it can charge itself with electricity in a green way
2.This type of research is done because ________.
A. the technology of making phones is changing rapidly
B. too many waste mobile phones may lead to environmental problems
C. nobody has ever thought of recycling mobile phones
D. producing mobile phones uses a lot of energy
3.We can infer from the story ________.
A. the new type of mobile phones is already on the market
B. the new type of mobile phones will sell extremely well
C. the material of the new type of phones is harmful
D. other flowers may be used in the new type of mobile phones
The UK has a well-respected higher education system and some of the top universities in the world. But to those who are new to it all, it can be something confusing.
October is usually the busiest month in the academic calendar (学习日程表). Universities have something called Freshers’ Week for their newcomers. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, join lots of clubs and settle into university life.
However, having just left the comfort of home and all your friends behind, meeting lots of strangers in big halls can be uneasy. Where do you start? Who should you make friends with? Which clubs should you join?
Luckily, there will be thousands of others in the same boat as you are worried about starting their university social life. So just take it all in slowly. Don’t rush into anything that you’ll regret for the next three years.
Here are some top tips from past students on how to survive Freshers’ Week:
·Make sure you know something about the British social customs. Have a few wine glasses and snacks handy for your housemates and friends.
·Sometimes cups of tea or even sweets can give you a head start in making friends.
·The more active you are, the more likely you’ll be to meet new people than if you’re someone who never leaves his rooms.
·Keep your door open when you’re in and that sends positive messages to your neighbors that you’re friendly.
So with a bit of clever planning, Freshers’ Week can give you a great start to your university life and soon you’ll be passing on your wisdom to next year’s newcomers.
1.Which of the following statements is FALSE according to the passage?
A. October is generally the busiest month for universities.
B. It’s a good idea to put a doorstop in your door.
C. A bit of planning can make Freshers’ Week easier.
D. The first week of your every year at university is called Freshers’ Week.
2.We can infer from the 4th paragraph that ______.
A. the newcomers usually miss the days living at home
B. most of the students in the UK spend three years in universities
C. many freshers are worried about how to fit university life
D. all the new students will make new friends and join certain clubs
3.Why does the author suggest having wine glasses and snacks handy?
A. To pass the busy university life. B. To help make friends with other freshers.
C. To show yourself a drinker as others. D. To pass the time in a happy way.
4.The main purpose of writing this passage is to ______.
A. tell the newcomers how to make a new start in universities
B. introduce something about higher education system of the UK
C. discuss something about the Freshers’ Week in the UK
D. advise the freshmen how to behave well in the beginning
For years I wanted a flower garden. I spent hours and days thinking of different things I could plant that would look nice together.
But then we had Matthew. And Marvin. And the twins, Alisa and Alan. And then Helen. Five children. I was too busy raising them to grow a garden.
Money was tight, as well as time. Often when my children were little, one of them would want something that cost too much, and I’d have to say, “Do you see a money tree outside? Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know.”
Finally, all five children got through high school and college and were off on their own. I started thinking again about having a garden.
I wasn’t sure, though. I mean, gardens do cost money, and after all these years I was used to living on a pretty poor, no-frills budget (预算).
Then, one spring morning, on Mother’s day, I was working in my kitchen. Suddenly, I realized that cars were tooting their horns as they drove by. I looked out of the window and there was a new tree, planted right in my yard. I thought it must be a weeping willow, because I saw things blowing around on all its branches. Then I put my glasses on—and I couldn’t believe what I saw. There was a money tree in my yard!
I went outside to look. It was true! There were dollar bills, one hundred of them, tied all over the tree. Think of all the garden flowers I could buy with one hundred dollars! There was also a note attached: “IOU eight hours of digging time. Love, Marvin.”
Marvin kept his promise, too. He dug up a nice ten-by-fifteen foot bed for me. And my other children bought me tools, a trellis (绷架), a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books.
That was three years ago. My garden’s now very pretty, just like what I wanted. When I go out to weed or tend my flowers, I don’t seem to miss my children as much as I once did. It feels like they are right there with me.
I live up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where winters are long and cold, and summers are too short. But every year now, when winter sets in, I look out of my window and think of the flowers I’ll see next spring in my little garden. I think about what my children did for me, and I get tears in my eyes---every time.
I’m still not sure that money grows on trees. But I know love does.
1.By saying “Do you see a money tree outside?”, the mother actually means _____.
A. Observation is the best teacher B. Seeing is believing
C. The outsider sees the most of the game D. It is not easy to gain money
2.The underlined word “no-frills” in the fifth paragraph is similar in meaning to _____.
A. wasteful B. tight C. deserted D. helpful
3.From the last two paragraphs we can infer that the mother is _____.
A. divorced when she was young B. not caring for her kids any longer
C. alone but not at all lonely D. prouder with her garden than with her kids
4.The best title for the passage would probably be _____.
A. My flower garden B. Marvin helps to realize my dream
C. Love in Michigan D. Money grows on trees
It was her giggling (咯咯笑) that drew my attention. Note taking really wasn’t all that funny.
Walking over to the offender (肇事者), I asked for the 36 . Frozen, she refused to give it to me. I waited, all attention in the classroom on the quiet 37 between a teacher and a student. When she finally 38 it over she whispered, “Okay, but I didn’t draw it.” It was a hand-drawn 39 of me, teeth blackened and the words “I’m stupid” coming out of my mouth.
I managed to fold it up calmly. My mind, 40 , was working angrily as I struggled not to 41 . I figured I knew the two most likely students who drew the picture. It would do them some 42 to teach them a lesson, and maybe it was high time that I did it.
Thankfully, I was able to keep myself 43 .
When there were about six minutes remaining, I showed the class the picture. They were all silent as I told them how 44 this was for me. I told them there must be a reason 45 and now was their chance to write down anything they needed to tell me. Then I let them write silently while I was seated in the back of the classroom, with tears in my eyes.
As I 46 the notes later, many of them said something like, “I’ve got nothing 47 you.” or “I’m sorry you were hurt.” Some kids said, “We’re afraid of you.” But two notes, from the girls who I 48 drew the picture, had a list of issues. I was too 49 , too strict…
Reading those notes, I realized that over the course of this year, instead of 50 my students, I had begun commanding them to 51 . Where I thought I was driving them to success I was 52 driving them away. I had some apology to make. But the next day in the classroom, one boy and one girl each handed me a card. The one 53 by all the boys expressed sincere regret for the ugly joke. The one from the girls asked for 54 .
This was a lesson for both the kids and me. Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the 55 .
|
1. |
A. note |
B. advice |
C. reason |
D. help |
|
2. |
A. battle |
B. competition |
C. argument |
D. conversation |
|
3. |
A. took |
B. thought |
C. turned |
D. handed |
|
4. |
A. statue |
B. graph |
C. picture |
D. poster |
|
5. |
A. otherwise |
B. however |
C. therefore |
D. besides |
|
6. |
A. leave |
B. cry |
C. explain |
D. argue |
|
7. |
A. good |
B. harm |
C. favor |
D. punishment |
|
8. |
A. amused |
B. controlled |
C. uninterested |
D. relaxed |
|
9. |
A. meaningful |
B. forgetful |
C. regretful |
D. hurtful |
|
10. |
A. aside |
B. above |
C. under |
D. behind |
|
11. |
A. wrote |
B. finished |
C. read |
D. collected |
|
12. |
A. beyond |
B. from |
C. against |
D. for |
|
13. |
A. figured |
B. promised |
C. concluded |
D. confirmed |
|
14. |
A. talkative |
B. mean |
C. funny |
D. considerate |
|
15. |
A. forcing |
B. encouraging |
C. comforting |
D. teaching |
|
16. |
A. appreciate |
B. apologize |
C. promise |
D. succeed |
|
17. |
A. actually |
B. normally |
C. immediately |
D. generally |
|
18. |
A. decorated |
B. offered |
C. signed |
D. bought |
|
19. |
A. thankfulness |
B. pardon |
C. congratulation |
D. communication |
|
20. |
A. friendship |
B. education |
C. knowledge |
D. future |
--- Do you mind my opening the window? It’s a bit hot.
---- ________, as a matter of fact.
A. Go ahead B. Yes, my pleasure C. Yes, I do D. Come on
I knew we would be friends ____ I met you on campus.
A. the first time B. at the first time
C. for the first time D. by the first time
